News Mash-up: Japan

Tokyo keeps 3rd place in global city ranking Tokyo ranked third after London and New York in an annual Global Power City Index report released Nov. 24, retaining the position for the sixth consecutive year thanks to greater work flexibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The top five cities remained unchanged in the latest report, compiled by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies, but the pandemic had a significant impact on some indicators, such as tourism and working styles. London finished in the top spot for the 10th straight year, while Paris and Singapore rounded out the top five in fourth and fifth place, respectively. (The Japan Times) Toyota dethrones GM as US sales leader Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. outsold General Motors Co. in the United States in 2021, marking the first time the Detroit automaker has not led U.S. auto sales for a full year since 1931. Toyota sold 2.332 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, compared with 2.218 million for General Motors, the automakers said on Jan. 4. Last year was marred by a shortage of semiconductors used heavily in vehicles, forcing automakers to focus on their most profitable models. GM had been the largest seller of vehicles in the U.S. since 1931, when it surpassed Ford, according to data from industry publication Automotive News. (Reuters) These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.